The scholar Ilan Pappé noted in a recent talk, given after the Oct. 7 attack, that of central importance for all the Palestinians “has been the political prisoners” — with Israel holding many Palestinians without charge while, Pappé notes, the PA was "doing nothing". He notes, Hamas "warned Israel...we will not sit idle as long as the political prisoners are not going to be released...we will do all we can to abduct Israeli soldiers and citizens so we have something to deal with in order to deal with the most important thing for our society, which are the political prisoners." Many thanks to
for video.
On Oct. 7, the day of the attacks, Hamas released a statement, which read in part: “Head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh said that the movement warned the Israeli occupation from continuing its crimes against the Palestinian people but it ignored the warnings.
“In a press statement, the Hamas chief explained that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood came as a response to the Israeli occupation’s crimes after several warnings.”
CNN reported on Oct. 24 that Yocheved Lifshitz, when she was released “also accused the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet intelligence service of not taking threats from Hamas ‘seriously’ and said the costly Gaza border fence erected by Israel had done nothing to protect her community from Hamas’ attack.”
“‘The lack of awareness by Shin Bet and the IDF hurt us a lot,’ she stressed. ‘They warned us three weeks beforehand, they burned fields, they sent fire balloons and the IDF did not treat it seriously,’ she continued.”
Palestine Chronicle, from Feb. 3, 2023: “Hamas Tells Israel It is Ready with ‘Sword and Shield’ in Large Gaza Rally (PHOTOS)”
The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas warned Israel on Friday of serious consequences if the attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza continue.
The stern warning came during a rally organized by Hamas in Gaza City on Friday afternoon.
“The Resistance in Gaza is monitoring developments in the West Bank and it is ready to protect Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said.
Qassem warned Israel that there could be major consequences, shall the attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza continue.
“The Al-Qassam Brigades will be a sword and a shield for our Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank,” Qassem stated, noting that the Resistance will always stand behind Palestinian prisoners.
Qassem also said that there are attempts by the US Administration to put an end to the uprising in the occupied West Bank and he pointed out that the attacks carried out by the Resistance are but a natural response to the numerous crimes committed by the Israeli occupation.
Multiple Reports: Hamas Warned Israel Prior to Oct. 7 Attack